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Archaeology

Husbandry at the oldest henge

Nature volume 387, pages 553–554 (1997)Cite this article

Henges are ancient circular monuments formed by an outer mound and an inner ditch, generally dating from the late Neolithic (3000-2000 BC). As possible sites of ritual activity, they replaced the causewayed camps of the early Neolithic (4000-3000 BC). Causewayed camps, which are usually associated with long barrows (earthen burial mounds), were also circular constructions, with concentric ditches segmented by several causeways, whereas henges are continuous earthworks except at their entrances. Henge monuments, with one or two exceptions, are specific to the British Isles, and there are several hundred of them. A henge in northern England has now been shown to pre-date Stonehenge by some 800 years1. Its unusual shape could shed new light on the origin and significance of these enigmatic structures.

The purpose of henge monuments is unknown. Were they open-air temples for the worship of astronomical bodies? The site of markets for the exchange of goods and cattle? A ritual meeting place where people could come together to find marriage partners? Or a combination of these?

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Figure 1: For farming or festivals?

References

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  1. Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, BD7 1DP, Bradford, UK

    Elizabeth Aveling

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  1. Elizabeth Aveling
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Aveling, E. Husbandry at the oldest henge. Nature 387, 553–554 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/42359

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